SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—In the last minute of the game, the Delta State Lady Statesmen pulled themselves together, dug in deep and found a way to defeat Harding University 59-56 in the GSC Semifinals on Saturday, March 5.

The Lady Statesmen had been down by 10 in the second half, but they closed the gap completely when Brooke Rhodes missed her shot, grabbed her rebound, giving Veronica Walker the opportunity to tie the game at 56.

Harding then came apart as Sierra Rollins missed both free throws and Bailey St. Claire fouled Walker. Delta State then took a 58-56 lead on Walker's two free throws with 19 seconds left on the clock.

Harding did not make a basket in the last three minutes of the game; they fouled the Lady Statesmen three times and turned the ball over twice.

“We are lucky to go on,” said head coach Sandra Rushing. “I love this team and am so proud of what they have accomplished, but we're lucky.”

It was a mind-boggling first half for Delta State. They were unable to find the basket, let alone an open player due to the outstanding defensive stand of Harding. The green-and-white out-scored the Lady Bisons in the paint 18-14 as well as out-rebound them 20-17 in the first period. But it was not enough and DSU went into the half down 32-27.

“We just stood there and didn't move; we were stagnant,” said Rushing. “We knew exactly what they were going to do to with Walker—they covered her well just like they did earlier in the season.”

After scoring only nine points and pulling in four rebounds in the first half, Walker came back, fought with determination under the basket and found a way to get the ball. She scored 13 second half points and grabbed eight second half rebounds. The Indianola native finished the night achieving her sixteenth double-double of the season with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals.

The Delta State bench players were yet again the difference makers in the game. The effort of Tamara Reed, Aubree Ray and Brooke Rhodes gave the Lady Statesmen the boost they needed to grab the win.

“I am so happy and proud of this bench,” said Rushing. “They are such hard workers and they kept us in the game.”

The Lady Statesmen ended the night shooting 31.6 percent from the field (18-27), 28.6 percent from the three point line (2-7) and 80.8 percent from the free throw line (21-26).

DSU out-rebounded Harding 38-29.

“They outplayed us today,” said Rushing. “But I am so happy to win and advance to the championship.”

Delta State will face Arkansas Tech in the GSC Championship game Sunday, March 6. Tip off is slated for 1:00 p.m.  The Statesmen Sports Network will offer complete coverage starting at 12:30 p.m.  The Statesmen Insider Social Network will also offer wall-to-wall coverage with an in-game blog and updates on Facebook and Twitter.